The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-26
STARTLING ANNOUNCEMENT.
WIN DISTINCTIONS Force Shippers from
the Mississippi RlverP


The extremes by low stngc OF water in the
Mississippi has nearly caused an entire sus-
pension OF steamboat operations from St
Louis to the south, and river men who have
been trying To navigate the STREAM in the
face Of many difficulties, since last July, are
almost discouraged and ready 10 abandon
water transportation. Low water is fire.
quently encountered during the summer and
fall Of the year, but the boating stage has not
been so reduced Tor such u iung period VI
time before in the recollection of uny Of the
old pilots: They began to encounter bars
between st. Louis aud Cairo during the early
part Of July, when the prOtmcted drought
set in, mud from that time since the river
has gradually declined. In the meantime,
millions Of dollars, invested in steamboats,
and barges, have been tied up in a way that
benefited no one, and the boats were left
TO decay. According to river men, this
would have been avoided had the gov
IN work Of improving the channel
been continued. In y, W OF the discourage.
ment OF the present season, and no present
hope of relief from the government in re-
claiming the channel, Capt. Henry c. Haar.
stick, president Of the 81. Louis and Missis.
slppi Valley transportation snys
there Is likely Ia he n great falling OF in the
gross amount Of river tonnage, as under the
circumstances there is no iuduccment to
build steamboats, and barges when they
can earn interest upon the investment. The
consequence will be that when the present
fleet Is worn out ~. Louis will have no boats
10 float the grain Of the Mississippi valley ON
its natural course Ia European markets, and
the farmer will then be at the mercy OF the
railroads.
~ look upon the river interests rs the ar
hitors of freight rates to the seabuard,n re-
marked Capt. llaarstiCk TO a Globe Democrat
reporter. and unless the channel is i'm.
proved so that navigation can be carried on
proiitably the year round the manufacturing,
agricultural and commercial prominence Of
the Mississippi valley will be seriously Grip
Piled. The mischief is not likely 10 be dis.
covered or u remedy applied until after the
railroads, relieved from competition. reap a
harvest of millions from the whcat-raisers Of
the west"
To give an idea OF the delay and expense
caused by the low water, MIR. Ilaarsiick re-
ierred 10 the fact that the steamer John Gil.
more left 81. Louis at 7:3O O'Clock am. on
the Goth OF October with three barge. in tow.
The next day the Dillon followed with three
more bargcs. we days later Grand Tower
was reached. Then the smoke became so
dense IL was impossible for pilots TO navigate,
aud under those circumstances the boats lost
Two days and a half at the bank below Cape
Girnrdcau. Finally the boats got 10 Cairo,
and then the Gilmore added the Dillon's
baipcs 10 her tow and pulled out for the
south again on the morning of the 9th NJ
November. Ordinarily the same distance is
made with these tow-boats in from two e.
two and.a hall days. After u good deal Of
trouble with sand bars Memphis was reached
ct y O'Clock am. November IS. Then the
tow was divided up into two bargfs each,
and even then IL took twcnty-nine hours To
get them through the chute. a distance Of
only seven miles. More bars were encuun.
tercd on the run 10 Nicksburg. which was
reached on November ~, fifteen days out of
Memphis. After passing Nicksburg q fair
stage Of water was found 90 New Orleans, |
where the tow landed ut q o'clock pm De.
cember !, after having been out Of this port
thirty-two days and eleven hours. II usually
takes from twenty TO twenty-oue days for the |
barge line 70 make a round trip from 81. |
Louis TO New Orleans. and with such delays
as the Gilmore encountered tie cost Of trans.
portatiOn II increased thrcefold.